‎Life lessons inspire my songs, says Afrobeats star Halley

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‎Afrobeats star, Oladipupo Halley has revealed that life lessons are part of the inspiration behind his hit songs
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‎The ‘Colos Timo Mogbe’ crooner whose versatility has earned him a good reputation in the music industry noted that music is the tool he uses to express himself and address societal challenges.
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‎Speaking in an interview, Halley reiterated that his creative voice is inspired by real life, street stories, and deep reflections on success, struggle, and faith.
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‎”My music blends African rhythms, soulful melodies, and street wisdom, creating sounds that connect with everyday people and real emotions.
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‎”Through my songs, I speak on life lessons, loyalty, hustle, hope, and self-belief, using catchy hooks, strong rhythms, and relatable lyrics. I aim to inspire, entertain, and remind people to stay true to themselves while chasing their dreams,” Halley said.
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‎The Business Administration and Management graduate started music as a member of the choir in his church before making it official in 2006 with his first studio single “I want you”.
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‎After a brief break from music to focus on his education, Halley returned to the scene with another single titled ‘Oko ati iyawo’ in 2010, and he hasn’t looked back ever since.
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‎His latest cut, ‘Life Struggle (Abeokuta Boi) is currently available on all digital streaming platforms.
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‎”I’m also working on shooting the video of Life Struggle due to popular demand, and more will follow as 2026 is going to be a busy year,” Halley concluded.
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*Dignitaries Storm Ambassador Ojadah’s Father’s 5th Year Remembrance Anniversary*

It was a remarkable gathering of distinguished personalities and eminent members of society as the UNIPGC Global President, His Excellency Amb. Jonathan Ojadah, hosted a memorable 5th Year Remembrance Anniversary in honour of his late father, Hon. Senior Evangelist Solomon Empire Daniel Ojadah, on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The glamorous event took place at Omoba Royal Hotel, Afilaka, in the Agodo-Egbe area of Isolo/Ikotun, Lagos State, and attracted an array of highly respected dignitaries and notable personalities from across the country.

Leading the crème de la crème of royal fathers in attendance were:

HRM OBA (Dr.) Olasunkanmi Lawal Bello (COP),* The Onisheri of Isheri Kingdom, Lagos State

HRM Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Michael Ayeyowa,* The Lumure of Ayeka Kingdom, Okitipupa LGA, Ondo State

*HRM Oba Sofela Olalekan,* The Olu of Olomowewe Kingdom, Agbado, Ifo LGA, Ogun State

Also present was *Chief Olaniyi Adeleye,* CEO of Omoba Royal Hotel, alongside the Royal Mother of the Day, *Olori Chief Mrs. Mojisola Danni,* CEO of Ademoj Group of Companies.

The remembrance activities commenced with a Church Prayer Service held at the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Council Parish 1, Liasu Road, Egbe.

Among the royal attendees at the service was HRM Oba Sofela Olalekan, who delivered an inspiring message to the congregation.

The event transitioned into a grand reception at Omoba Royal Hotel, where guests were treated to warm hospitality and exquisite cuisine befitting the occasion.

Several dignitaries who delivered goodwill messages paid glowing tributes to Ambassador Jonathan Ojadah, describing him as a visionary leader and a man deeply committed to the welfare of his people.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ojadah expressed profound gratitude to God and to all who honoured the invitation despite their demanding schedules. He stated:

> “I give God the glory for this wonderful event. Today marks five years since the passing of my father, Hon. Senior Evangelist Solomon Empire Daniel Ojadah — a visionary leader whose foresight, courage, and commitment to excellence laid a solid foundation for leadership development and transformational growth. His passion for community development and the nurturing of principled leaders continues to reflect in our values, programmes, and impact. Though he is no longer with us physically, his vision and ideals remain a guiding light for the work we do.

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> On this day of remembrance, we honour his enduring legacy with gratitude and reflection. The Ojadah family reaffirms its commitment to uphold the standards and purpose he stood for. May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace.

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> This event is a success because of the people who stood firmly behind me. It is not about finances; your physical presence speaks volumes. I deeply appreciate our Royal Majesties from Ondo and Ogun States, as well as The Onisheri of Isheri Kingdom, who honoured us with their presence. I also thank those who travelled from abroad and across the federation. I sincerely appreciate every one of you.”

He extended special appreciation to his supporters, including:

Chief Olaniyi Adeleye (CEO, Omoba Royal Hotel)

Chief Dr. Moses Ake,

Amb. Rosaline Adedoyin Amangbo, Chief Amb. Gbenro Oladioupo, Mr. Olatunji (UK) – Ola Photo

Apostle Sunday Abiodun

He further expressed heartfelt gratitude to family members, especially Uncle Jeremiah Ojadah, Aunty Rhoda Ojadah, Uncle Benjamin, cousins, friends, Celebrities and well-wishers who graced the occasion.

The event concluded on a note of thanksgiving and reflection, as Ambassador Ojadah once again appreciated all attendees and prayed that everyone would live long to honour their parents in due time.

South Africa’s Fight Against Cholera: A Battle for Water, Trust and Public Health

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG

“From Hammanskraal’s deadly outbreak to renewed national vigilance, the country confronts a disease rooted in failing sanitation and regional contagion.”

South Africa’s modern confrontation with cholera has been shaped by a deadly outbreak, regional disease pressures and a renewed national push to strengthen water safety and emergency response systems. Though the country is not currently among Africa’s worst-hit states, health authorities remain on high alert as cholera resurges across the continent and threatens to spill across borders.

The most defining recent episode occurred in May 2023 in Hammanskraal, a township north of Pretoria in Gauteng Province. Residents began reporting severe diarrhoeal illness, and within days the situation escalated into a confirmed cholera outbreak. By late May, authorities reported 29 laboratory-confirmed cases and at least 17 deaths, with over 160 patients treated at local hospitals.

The outbreak was traced to contaminated municipal water, exposing long-standing failures in sanitation and wastewater treatment systems. Investigations pointed to chronic infrastructure neglect and the collapse of water purification processes, allowing bacteria to enter household supplies.

At the time, President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly apologised to residents for the state’s failure to provide safe drinking water, while national and provincial health officials mobilised emergency responses. Among the key figures involved were:

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed the crisis and apologised to affected communities.

Dr. Sandile Buthelezi, Director-General of the National Department of Health, who ordered hospitals to treat severe diarrhoeal cases as suspected cholera.

Aneliswa Cele, Acting Chief Director for Communicable Diseases Control, who warned of the high risk of imported cases from neighbouring countries.

Local authorities in the City of Tshwane, responsible for water and sanitation interventions.

The outbreak exposed a harsh truth: cholera is rarely just a medical problem. It is a disease of infrastructure, governance, and inequality. As the World Health Organization repeatedly notes, cholera is “a disease of inequity,” thriving where clean water and sanitation are absent.

South Africa’s 2023 outbreak did not occur in isolation. Across the continent, cholera has been surging at alarming rates. By 2025, Africa recorded over 300,000 cases and more than 7,000 deaths, marking the continent’s worst outbreak in a quarter century, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Southern Africa has been particularly vulnerable. Major outbreaks in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have placed neighbouring countries at risk. Health experts warn that cross-border movement and flooding significantly increase the danger of imported cases into South Africa.

In early 2024, for example, health authorities confirmed imported cholera cases in Limpopo Province linked to travellers from Zimbabwe, prompting heightened surveillance at border posts and health facilities.

By 2025 and early 2026, regional floods across southern Africa again raised concerns about cholera outbreaks, as displaced populations struggled without proper sanitation. Aid workers warned that crowded camps and contaminated water could accelerate transmission.

South African health authorities have responded with a layered strategy: surveillance, public education, water infrastructure upgrades and coordination with regional health bodies. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has repeatedly stressed that while South Africa has not faced large-scale outbreaks since Hammanskraal, the country remains at “high risk” due to regional transmission and climate-related sanitation disruptions.”

Public health experts emphasize that the solution is not merely medical but structural. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, has warned that cholera “thrives where poverty, conflict and climate shocks deny people access to safe water and sanitation,” underscoring that prevention lies in infrastructure not just vaccines.

Similarly, UNICEF’s regional leadership has stressed the centrality of water access. “Access to safe water is a fundamental need… and most importantly, a human right,” said UNICEF Regional Director Etleva Kadilli, noting that inadequate sanitation systems remain the main driver of outbreaks.

The South African experience reflects that reality. The Hammanskraal tragedy was not caused by an exotic pathogen or a sudden foreign import; it was the result of contaminated tap water in a community that had repeatedly complained about poor service delivery.

Since the outbreak, authorities have accelerated plans to upgrade wastewater treatment plants and restore water quality in affected areas. Emergency chlorination, tanker water deliveries and public awareness campaigns were rolled out to contain the crisis. These measures helped halt transmission, but they also highlighted deeper structural failures that still require long-term investment.

Today, South Africa’s fight against cholera is less about a current national outbreak and more about preventing the next one. With regional cases rising, floods increasing and sanitation infrastructure under strain, the country’s health security depends on the reliability of its water systems.

As public health scholar Dr. Rita Colwell once observed, “Cholera is a marker of the health of a society’s water.” In South Africa, that marker has already issued a warning. Whether the country heeds it will determine if the next outbreak is contained or catastrophic.